I apologize the update has taken so long. I haven't been in the headspace for it. There has been a great deal of loss going on for me over the last couple of weeks - A friend who was like a brother died at 37. An aunt passed away on the one-year anniversary of my nephew's passing. A building I loved more than any place on earth burned to the ground. August has been a rough month. I sincerely hope that it has been better for all of you than it has over here. In the meantime, thank you for your patience with me and this story.
Part ll of lll, I suppose - This is a long night lol.
(BPOV)
Bella looked around warily, frustrated with her short stature as she pushed through the sea of people. Edward is here, somewhere. Bella could sense him nearby, just as she had all evening. A familiar chill slid up her back, and she shuddered. Even his stare was cold. Bella thought of the warmth of her wolves and wondered how she had ever managed to enjoy Edward's cold, rigid embrace. Bella thought of being wrapped in Paul or Jacob's comforting, warm, and protective arms, which quickly morphed into other warmer embraces in her mind. Bella fanned her face.
Geez, it's hot in here. Bella took a deep breath as she squeezed between two grinding couples, only to meet with more.
"Hey, where are you going?" Leah reached for Bella's hand, tugging her back from her silent escape.
Bella had expected to be bar hopping for the evening, but an overcrowded nightclub on a weeknight was absurd. The entire space was dark with multicolor lights sliding every which way, leaving her dizzy if she looked around too often. Bella would have never ventured into such a place alone. This place probably makes women easy prey between the alcohol and disorienting lights. There were far too many strangers surrounding her. Bella was overwhelmed, overheated, and desperately needed to piss.
"Bathroom," Bella shouted over the blaring music, trying to free herself.
Leah scowled as she yelled, "And you were just going to disappear on me? In a crowd like this?"
Bella complained, "Come with me if you must, Jacob junior."
"Listen," Leah snapped and snarled at her. "If I were Jacob junior, I would just throw your ass over my shoulder to fucking carry you there and back."
"You wouldn't dare," Bella said.
The mischievous twinkle in Leah's eyes said otherwise. Bella threw her hands up in exasperation before grabbing Leah's wrist. "Come on, then," she huffed. Leah took the lead and rudely pushed through the crowd as she pulled her sister across the shiny black floor toward the bathrooms.
Unfortunately, the bathroom was also overcrowded with a long waiting line. Bella cupped her crotch as she finally darted into an open stall with a giggling Leah on her heels. She didn't bother to argue Leah's too-close presence as she followed Bella into the small space and leaned against the closed door. Bella yanked her jeans down, sat, and sighed in relief.
Leah said, "I think it's about time we go to a different place. How about you?"
Earlier, Dean and Nick were sitting at a table, talking, and slowly sipping their beers when Leah drug Bella onto the dance floor. Bella was unsure how long they had been dancing, but she assumed the guys were likely ready to go somewhere else by now, too.
Leah glanced down as Bella stood and teased, "Someone does trim the hedges. Good job." Bella blushed as multiple women's laughter floated through the restroom.
"Oh, shut it," Bella huffed as she tugged her jeans back up and flushed the toilet. "You're lucky I had to pee so badly that I couldn't stop you from hovering."
"Jesus, you're cranky," Leah said, smirking.
"I'm just about done with people for the night," Bella admitted as Leah stepped around her and dropped trou. Not to mention the uneasiness that lingered throughout the evening as she anticipated Edward's reappearance. Again, Bella had the distinct feeling Edward was nearby.
Is he listening to this conversation through Leah's thoughts now? Bella scowled, her cheeks flushing as she thought of Leah blatantly looking at her crotch. If Edward was listening, he would have seen that, too. The mortification of that only made Bella feel further annoyed.
In a poor attempt at lightening Bella's sour mood, Leah said, "I see you and Nick are getting along."
"Yeah, well… Nick is not gawking at me like I'm a tasty treat tonight. That helps."
Nick had been flirtatious, but not overly so. They talked and laughed over a million random topics with ease. Bella could envision them being eventual friends, just as Leah had said. As it turned out, Nick could be rather charming. He had been a perfect gentleman all evening.
"Maybe we should head to Forks before it gets too late," Leah said. "We could always go to a bar or two back home."
"That is the best plan you've had all night," Bella said as Leah stood and flushed the toilet. "The ride back will let me relax a bit."
"Yeah, I thought the same," Leah said. They exited the stall and washed their hands quickly, eager to get out of the crowded restroom.
As they intended to push back through the crowd to their dates, another cold chill traveled up Bella's spine. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as goosebumps crawled across her skin. No one's stare had ever bothered her as intensely as Edward's had, pulling her more than once from a dead sleep when they were together. Her hesitation and the uptick of her pulse made Leah freeze as Bella slowly looked around the space, searching for him. Bella lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the bouncing lights, but there was no use. She couldn't see into the darkest corners of the club, even outside of the sea of swaying bodies.
Leah sucked in a sharp breath, wrapped one arm around Bella's waist protectively,.and said, "Leech. I smell it. I almost missed it with all the fucking Axe Body Spray in here." Bella didn't need to see her sister to visualize the scowl she wore.
"Keep your cool," Bella said, threading her fingers through Leah's.
"Are you telling me that or yourself?"
Leah's question made Bella stop to check herself as her whole body trembled with a silent, instinctual fear - and she hated it. She hated that one person's influence had damaged her irreparably. She hated that his conditioning still left her floundering to express her emotions after five, long, Edward-less years. One month of his love-bombing and manipulation had groomed her into a shell of herself, one that only Jacob and the imprint could remotely heal. Bella tried to steel herself against her rising anger and said, "He's here somewhere, and I want to talk to him."
"Are you fucking nuts?" Leah spun Bella around by her shoulders to look her in the eye, and Bella flinched. Some anger fled Leah's face, surprisingly replaced with sympathy and a softer, motherly tone. "What if he tries to grab you and take off? What the hell would you do? What if he goes all razzle-dazzle and hypnotizes you? What if I wolf-out in front of people, and your ass has to ride back to forks on my fucking back, Bells? What would we do then? Hmm?"
Bella argued, "He won't want to raise any suspicions by doing something stupid. His family cares more about hiding in plain sight than anything else. Plus, there are security cameras everywhere here. It's safer to do it here. It will be fine."
"Uh-huh," Leah grumbled. "Until he follows us and attacks somewhere else. I should call Jacob."
"No," Bella said quickly, "Don't do that. He's supposed to see Reagan tonight after patrols. He needs time with her."
Leah hissed, "Do you honestly think he would prefer a piece of ass to your safety?"
"She's more than that," Bella defended. Not to mention, Bella was beginning to worry about whose ass Jake would want a piece of if he didn't have the distraction.
"You still feel guilty about that whole body shot bullshit, don't you?" Leah smirked, confident in her assumption. Bella was becoming annoyed with her overly observant sister.
Both women jumped as Dean yelled, "Hey, girls. What's the problem?" Leah leaned back into him as his arms slid around her waist.
"Nothing," Bella lied quickly. "I think we're just ready to find a different bar."
As Nick stepped to her other side, Bella searched around the crowded space again.
Just as he did at the fairgrounds, Dean narrowed his eyes suspiciously and looked around. A second later, he leaned closer to Bella and asked, "Who is the toolbag watching you, Bells?"
Bella turned toward where Dean stared as she thought, Yet another too-observant person calling me Bells. She absently wondered how and when everyone started preferring it to her name. At least Sam had come up with something different.
Bella asked, "Where is he?"
Dean nodded toward the bar. Finally, the person she had subconsciously sought all evening came into view. Dean's face scrunched into a scowl as he asked, "Is he even old enough to be in here?" Leah cackled despite her anger, and Dean patted her on the butt, grinning.
"He's older than he looks," Bella grumbled. "Trust me."
Incredulously, Dean asked, "So, you ladies know him?"
"You could say that," Bella said and swallowed hard as Edward's eyes locked onto hers. He was as beautiful as ever with his perfectly placed red hair, sharp jawline, and impeccably tailored yet understated gray suit. Despite his flawless frozen youth, Edward could pass for at least twenty-one with his expensive attire and haughty sneer. There were circles under his dark eyes, and she wondered when he had fed last. Unconsciously, Bella moved toward him and gasped in surprise as someone tugged her back by a belt loop on her jeans.
She barely heard him as Nick pleaded, "Bella, don't." His finger remained hooked into her belt loop, refusing to release it.
"Let go, Nick," she said firmly.
"Not a chance," Dean answered for him. Leah grinned smugly and turned her stare back toward Edward.
"Listen," Bella snapped at Nick, "I promised myself I would talk to him the next time I saw him." Despite her angry determination, her trembling had worsened. Anxiety made her chest ache with pain similar to the one Edward left her with when he abandoned her. She snarled out, "I've got a bone to pick."
"Then let me go with you," Nick insisted as he glanced at Edward.
Whatever her friends were thinking seemed to amuse Edward, and he chuckled to himself as he looked down at his drink. Dean seemed to be the culprit as he said, "Okay, now. That was just uncanny."
Bella continued watching her ex, waiting for him to look up again as she said, "I need to speak with him without everyone hovering, guys. I really do."
His eyes shot open wide before Edward looked directly into hers again, scowling. It was the same scowl he had worn the first time he realized no one knew she was spending the day with him. As if she were preposterous for even suggesting being with him alone. He wasn't wrong.
Nick said, "Something is off with this guy. He doesn't feel right."
"Something is off, alright," Leah grumbled. "He's her ex, he was abusive, and he's fucking stalking her."
Bella glared at Leah in disbelief. Bitch just threw me under the bus!
As expected, Nick and Dean were instantly angry, their stances shifting from curious to protective in a heartbeat. One glance between them, and they were moving closer to Bella, sandwiching her in.
Jesus, do all men act like this? Is pack mentality truly this damn common? Despite her earlier determination, it was clear she wouldn't be able to confront Edward tonight. Three against one were impossible odds, and Bella didn't have the energy to argue. Bella unhooked Nick's finger from her belt loop and wrapped her hand around his, giving it a comforting squeeze. She sighed before shooting Edward a warning glare. This isn't over, you bastard.
"Come on, guys. Let's leave," Bella said as she tugged at Leah with her other hand. The four of them moved through the crowd toward the door. Before stepping outside, Bella looked back toward the bar. Edward Cullen was gone.
The sensation of being watched remained as they crossed the lot to the motorcycles. Bella carefully tucked her hair up into her helmet and climbed on behind Nick. She leaned against the backrest as the bike came to life under them, staring across the lot.
He's still here somewhere, she thought, scowling. When her eyes landed on a cherry red Porsche, Bella found him. Ridiculous, she muttered to herself, willing to bet it belonged to Rosalie. She focused on the car as they drove across the lot and smirked as he met her eyes from his side-view mirror. Bella let go of Nick to turn her whole upper body toward Edward and flipped him off with both hands.
Leah's loud cackle startled Bella. She quickly turned to hold Nick's waist as they pulled out of the lot. Over the roar of the bikes, Leah yelled, "That was hilarious. He's so mad. He looks constipated."
Bella yelled back, "Well, when you haven't taken a shit most of your life."
Leah roared with laughter again as she leaned back and blissfully held her arms out into the wind. Bella could only grin at her sister. Happiness looked lovely on Leah. Despite her previous heartache and determination to take things slowly, Leah had dived head first with Dean.
Is that what you need to do, too? Just say fuck it and go after Paul with everything you have? Wasn't Edward a harsh reminder of how very wrong rushing into things could go?
Bella rode the rest of the way to Forks, happy she hadn't spoken to Edward. She doubted it would have been pretty. She only wished she could be sure he wasn't racing toward Forks now, too.
(Paul POV)
Paul ended his patrol wide-awake and anxious. Bella being out on a so-called date was bothersome enough. Knowing she could run into the leech had him rattled. He was relieved to receive a smiling selfie of her and Leah. A second glance at the background brought the anxiety back in full force as he recognized the inside of his favorite bar.
Surely Leah wouldn't take Bella there, would she? Then again, Leah was somewhat fond of the place, too.
"Argh!" He only hoped that Shari wasn't there or at least kept her distance if she was. "Fuck my life," Paul complained out loud. The urge to go there was tempting enough that even the wolf pushed for him to move.
Paul took a deep breath, resigning himself to head home. Instead, an idea came that would allow him to interact with Bella and tip Leah off simultaneously. First, he would need a shower and see if he had any pre-phase clothing still stashed away. After five years, he highly doubted it. He had given many items away to his brothers as they burst through their wardrobes while learning to control the phasing. Still, the old box remained in the back of his closet. Paul picked up his pace for home.
Paul couldn't believe his luck as he dug through the back of his closet and came across a much-too-small t-shirt and cargo shorts. Keeping a few sets of his old clothing had been a good decision despite knowing his human form would never wear them again.
Joe, on the other hand. Paul looked himself over in the mirror, grinning at the result. Bella would get to see the person she thought helped her, and Paul would be able to check on her in person.
It has to be a win/win, right? Paul could only hope Leah stayed quiet and played along. He was grateful for an Alpha order for the first time in his short shifter life.
Paul pulled on a black baseball hat to disguise himself while driving through town. He left his truck out of sight in a dark parking lot a good half-mile from the bar. It would help him make a quick getaway if needed and wouldn't leave him running through the woods to do it. Even in this form, he would run faster than anyone but a packmate.
As he approached the bar, he damn near slipped and said hello to someone he knew. He hesitated outside the door as he realized he had no form of ID on him. He could pass for at least twenty in this form. He groaned as he realized he would have to avoid alcohol. I really want a fucking drink, too.
Leah's loud laughter rang out, followed by a few others. In the middle of the collective noise was Bella's breathy giggle. Paul was instantly hard as a rock, despite his anxiety. He was spurred forward by the ache to see her, silently cursing himself as he stepped inside.
Paul immediately spotted her as he strode across the bar. Bella was bent over at the pool table with Dean's friend, her date, behind her. Guiding Bella through her turn, his crotch was nearly flush against her ass. Paul's jaw clenched hard as he held a straight face, pushing back the surge of jealousy he felt. His wolf was none-to-happy, either, snapping at him to intervene. Instead, he sat down at the bar and held two fingers up at the bartender, Jenny.
The short, heavyset bartender was one of his favorites. He had never been attracted to her but frequently enjoyed making her as flustered as possible. In return, he and Jenny had become semi-close pals over the years. He forced a grin her way, bummed he couldn't give her any shit now.
Jenny asked, "What can I get you?"
"Jack and coke," he said out of habit, forgetting his plans while his eyes strayed back to Bella.
"Let me see your face, kid. Got any ID?" Jenny stared at him suspiciously. Paul pulled his hat off as Bella glanced up from where her date guided her through another turn.
Damn it. How the hell could Bella turn his brain to mush so quickly? "Not on me," Paul said as Bella gasped in surprise.
Again, he lost focus while watching her. Nothing else mattered except the smile on her face as she recognized him, and Paul immediately smiled back.
"Ooh, kid. You got it bad," Jenny teased him, regaining his attention.
Bella was oblivious as she pushed her ass back into her date's groin in her attempt to scramble away. She charged across the bar in a full sprint, leaving her entire party surprised as she threw her arms around Paul and squealed happily. Paul wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tight, reminding himself that he was supposed to be Joe as he glanced down at his pale hands.
"I was worried about you!" Bella pulled away and laughed as she lightly swatted his arm. He could see she was well on her way to shit-faced as she swayed and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"You were worried about me? I'm not the one with a stalker," Paul laughed. "I'm glad you're safe."
Bella turned to the bartender and said, "Get my pal Joe here whatever he wants, will ya?"
"Is your Pal over twenty-one? The fool has no ID," Jenny teased.
Deciding to try it anyway, Paul gave Jenny a wink and wagged his eyebrows at her suggestively. Apparently, her reactions are universal, he thought as the short brunette's cheeks flushed, and she laughed.
Bella said, "Well, he poured my alcohol where he works."
"Worked," Paul said and laughed. "I kind of walked out that day, remember?"
Bella turned to Jenny and said, "He helped get me out of a dangerous situation. He walked out of his job to drive me home to assure I was safe."
"Well," Jenny said as she turned to walk away. "That does deserve a drink."
Paul glanced behind Bella as Leah made her way toward them with Dean and his friend on her heels. Bella turned to look and giggled, instantly bringing a smile to all of their faces.
I don't understand how she does this and yet has zero clue just how much power she has. She's just so damn easy to love.
Paul winked at Jenny again as she set a Jack and Coke in front of him. He picked it up and took a drink as the others surrounded them.
Glassy-eyed, Leah asked, "Who is your friend, Bells?"
Paul looked up at Dean and his friend suspiciously, silently checking that they weren't as drunk as Leah and Bella seemed to be. Both were slowly nursing a beer, but neither appeared or smelled intoxicated. Satisfied, he took another drink of his Jack and Coke before holding his hand out.
"Hey. I'm Joe," he said, shaking her hand. Leah squeezed it back a bit harder than necessary. Paul chuckled as he gave hers a firm squeeze, too. Shithead. He shook hands with Dean and Nick before downing the rest of his drink.
"Thirsty, soldier?" Jenny was at their side in a flash, seemingly waiting for him to finish.
"Hell yes," Paul said.
"Another?"
"Please," he said. "Anyone else?"
Bella took the opportunity to order them all another drink and said she would rejoin her friends in a minute before the three of them went outside to smoke.
Needing something to talk to her about, Paul asked, "So are you on a date tonight?"
"Uh, sort of," Bella said and glanced at the door self-consciously. "He's a decent dude, but I'm really into someone else."
"Is that so?"
Jenny returned with their drinks, and Bella happily accepted whatever fruity concoction was in her cup. Paul took a sip of his Jack and Coke, watching as she closed her eyes at the taste and hummed.
"This woman knows how to make a drink," she moaned. "So good."
Paul wished like Hell that he could drag her into the bathrooms and fuck her stupid right then. As it were, her date had just walked back inside, none-to-happy about the attention she was giving 'Joe.'
Not seeing him behind her, Bella said, "Almost as good as the wine the other day. I hope you have at least tried that stuff before. It was amazing."
"I've never tried it, but it smelled amazing," he answered, absently tapping his forefinger on the bar while watching her date approach them.
Bella jumped as Nick's hand slid across her back to grab her attention. She gave her date an apologetic smile as she handed him his drink. He shot Paul a wary glance and boldly pulled her toward him to place a chaste kiss on her temple.
"Thanks, Bella," he said and strutted toward the pool table.
Wide-eyed, Bella tried to keep a straight face as she turned toward Paul, staring at the floor. Each slowly looked into the other's eyes and snorted with laughter.
Paul said, "Well, that was awkward."
She said, "I guess I should rejoin my date. It was good to see you. Thank you again for what you did. It was very kind. I'm sorry I acted like a paranoid nutjob."
Paul smirked at her nervous rambling. His Bells was drunk. "Do a shot with me real quick first," he said. He pulled cash from his pocket and waved it at the bartender.
"Just one," Bella said. "I've probably had enough."
"Deal," Paul said. "Ever had Goldshlager?"
"Nooooo. No Cinnamon," Bella said and giggled. "I'll barf. Right here at your feet, my new friend."
"Good to know," Paul said through his laughter. Bella tilted her head to the side and stared at him curiously. He realized that his laugh had probably sounded too familiar and cleared his throat nervously. "What would you like, then?"
"Rupplemintz," Bella said without skipping a beat.
"Oh," Paul teased loudly. "She is a hardass. I like it."
"Whatever," she scoffed, playfully pushing his shoulder. Bella watched him curiously as her hand lingered on his arm for a moment. Paul looked up at the bartender as shots overflowed, and the smell of peppermint filled his nose.
"Ah," he teased as he handed Jenny the cash. "You're beautiful."
"Don't make me cut you off, kid," she grumbled and snatched the cash from his hand. Bella giggled as the bartender walked away and reached for her shot. They clinked the glasses together in cheers and drank, laughing as liquor dripped from their fingertips. A drop trailed down Bella's chin as she searched for a napkin. Without thinking, Paul reached up to catch it with his thumb and winked at her. Bella bit back a giggle as she stared at him curiously again.
He asked, "What's on your mind?
She said, "You still seem familiar to me."
Paul quipped, "Well, maybe I'm supposed to." They stared at each other silently for a moment, unblinking. Paul was entranced, perfectly happy to just look at her.
The spell broke as loud laughter filled the bar, and a small group of Paul's bar pals poured in the front door. He groaned awkwardly as the last two happened to be Shari and Chris. The two looked like a couple, with his arm comfortably tossed around her shoulder and hers encircling his waist.
Bella asked, "You know her?"
Paul looked back to Bella and grinned as he shook his head no. "I ran into her at a gas station once," he said. "She seemed friendly but loud." It wasn't a complete lie, anyway. He had met Shari for the first time in a gas station, and she was loud.
Leah and Dean followed the group inside shortly after, glaring at Shari as she passed by her.
"Hey, Leah," Chris said cheerily.
Leah winked at him before snarling at Shari and stepping up behind Bella. "Might be time to go," Leah whispered in Bella's ear while staring Paul down.
"Nah. I want to talk to Shari," Bella said and picked up her drink. Paul tried to hide his amusement at her sudden determination.
Leah hissed, "What is it with you tonight? Are you looking for trouble? First, you wanted to confront Edward, and now you want to talk to Shari?"
"You know what, Lee? I'm sick of old drama," Bella said.
Old Drama? The Shari incident seemed to be a recent drama for Paul. He sat back against the bar with his arms crossed over his chest, waiting to see what kind of shitshow his drunken beloved could stir up. As Bella stepped away, Leah shot Paul a warning look.
"You know," she whispered, "I had Bella send you that selfie so you wouldn't show up here!"
Paul laughed and said, "Well, that was fucking dumb, Leah. You know my curiosity can't handle that kind of bait."
"I was giving you the chance to avoid being a creep!"
"Shhh!" Paul nodded toward Bella and spied her carefully as a surprised Shari turned around to face her.
Shari glanced around warily, her eyes skipping over Leah as if she wasn't even there.
"She's looking for me," Paul whispered.
"No shit, Sherlock," Leah snapped and walked away to join the others at the pool table.
Sounding surprisingly calmer than he expected, Shari asked, "Can I help you?"
Bella said, "I think you need a drink."
Shari tossed her black hair over her shoulder, taking a defensive stance. "Why is that?"
"Because I already have one," Bella said. "Go get a drink from the bartender on me and come outside."
"What the fuck for?"
Bella held her hand to Shari and said, "Because we are starting over. You and me. We can have a drink, a toke, chit-chat … Let's bury the stupid hatchet. How does that sound?"
Shari scoffed in surprise as she ignored the attempt to shake her hand and start over. Indignantly, Shari said, "I think I'm good."
Bella quipped back, "Suit yourself. I'm sure Paul would appreciate the peace since you are his friend, but whatever." Bella smiled and shrugged before entirely ignoring everyone else and walking outside. Shari huffed as she watched Bella leave and shook her head.
Chris leaned in close to her ear and said, "You noticed Paul's not here, right?"
Shari grumbled, "Yep."
Chris hesitated before saying, "Maybe that would change if you play nice and cool the shit, Shari."
If looks could kill, Chris would have been dead on the spot. Paul could barely contain his laughter as he pretended to nurse his drink.
"I'm so fucking sorry you're concerned about your buddy," Shari snapped sarcastically.
"Hey! You can apologize. See? I told you that you could do it," Chris teased her.
"I hate you," Shari grumbled. To Paul's surprise, Chris yanked her to him and pressed a smoldering kiss to Shari's lips.
I did not see that coming, Paul thought. A public kiss like that was a proclamation, and Shari wasn't one for being branded. She stumbled backward slightly as Chris pulled away and laughed. She simply glared at him afterward, holding her hand out. Chris chuckled as he laid a joint in her palm and gently pushed her toward the door.
Paul could only shake his head as Shari threw open the door and yelled, "Hey, House Key! Come smoke with me." The door swung shut behind her with a bang.
